Basava

(1134–1196) was an Indian philosopher, statesman and social reformer, who fought in opposition to the practice of the caste system, which discriminated against people based on their birth. These were rational and progressive social concepts in the twelfth century. Basava is one of the pioneers of Indian democracy. He created a model parliament, which not only had equal proportions of men and women, but also had representatives from different socioeconomic backgrounds. He was a man far ahead of his time, who believed that conflict should be resolved through debate and not through violence.